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What are the requirements for getting legally married in Montana?

Montana does require a blood test before a marriage license will be issued. You can marry immediately after your marriage license is issued, and your license is good for 180 days after it's issued. After that time, you'll have to get a new one before you can marry.

In Montana, as in most states, you must be of the age of consent, not be too closely related to your intended spouse, not be married to anyone else, and have sufficient "mental capacity," meaning you understand what you are doing when you marry.

Does Montana have common-law marriage?

Yes. In Montana, if you meet the criteria for common law marriage, then you are legally married and will be treated as a married couple for legal purposes, including the requirement that you get a legal divorce in order to end your relationship. In order to have a valid common law marriage, a couple must intend to be married, must live together for a significant period of time, and must hold themselves out as a married couple. If you need more information about common law marriage in Montana, consult an attorney.

Does Montana have same-sex marriage?

No. Montana doesn't allow partners of the same sex to marry, nor does it recognize domestic partnerships, civil unions, or reciprocal beneficiaries. For trends in same-sex marriage laws, see the article Same-Sex Marriage: Developments in the Law.